Against

Forget Samsung's bevy of super-slim and much-marketed LED TVs - it's actually the brand's plasmas that see it at the peak of its powers.

Strapped with its fast evolving and increasingly ambitious Smart Hub online platform, the 51-inch Samsung PS51D8000 includes apps for movie and media streaming, as well as web browsing, home networking and digital media playback.

The Samsung PS51D8000 increases its reach in more ways than that. Unusually dimensioned because of a slightly slimmer bezel (at 23mm it's still not as slim as an LED TV, but it's a fine effort nonetheless) that creates a slightly larger playground for the plasma cells, this TV is an excellent example of why the gloss black template - initially popularised by Samsung - should be binned.

Nicknamed the 'Metal Crystal' design by Samsung, the unusual look of this TV involves a slither of transparent plastic around the outside of the bezel, while a spider stand adds to the allure.

The insides of the Samsung PS51D8000 are a similarly polished affair, with tuners for Freeview HD and Freesat HD - complete with USB pause and record features - and, of course, a 3D option.

The most obvious alternative to this plasma TV - priced at £1,350 in the UK and $2,300 in the US - is Samsung's 51-inch PS51D6900. This is a lower spec and much cheaper plasma screen that's mopped up the mass market.

Samsung also offers a smattering of lower-spec 3D plasmas, including the 43-inch PS43D490, 51-inch PS51D550 and 59-inch PS59D550 (the latter two have a Full HD resolution and a Freeview HD tuner).

Adding intelligence to Smart TV With Samsung at the forefront of Smart TVs, it's only natural that the Plasma +1 TV is fully equipped with all of the latest Smart TV technology. Tap into the world's first built-in TV app store to make using your TV more exciting.

True 3D experience in a whole new light Experience 3D TV at it best with the PDP 8000, which produces the ultimate in 3D picture quality that is utterly immersive. This is possible thanks to Samsung's innovative 3D HyperReal Engine, which delivers superior performance and crystal-clear Full HD images. The unique Plasma +1 design has a much slimmer bezel, and delivers a huge and immersive viewing experience with its +1 inch screen. And with cinematic 3D Sound, featherweight 3D glasses with ergonomic design, and an integrated converter that lets you enjoy 2D games and shows in 3D too - home entertainment has entered a new dimension.